Thread-controlling means for sewing-machines



J. P WEIS. THREAD CONTROLLING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATIONFILED SEPT.25.1918.

L32,023Q Patented J an. 13, 1920.

JOHN P. WEIS, or NYAcK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'I'O METROPOLITAN SEWING MACHINE I CORPORATION, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

THREAD-CONTROLLING MEANS Foa SEWING-MACHINES.

Application filed September 25, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1', JOHN P. 151s, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nyack, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thread-Controlling Weans for Sewing-Machines, of which the follow ing is a specification.

This invention relates to thread controlcycle of the sewing machine and certain of which tubular guides are adjustable in the direction of their length and with respect to the loopers so as to vary the take-up action on the threads as they are conducted therefrom to the stitching mechanism.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved thread controlling or handling means for conducting one or more looper threads in a positive manner so as to keep them separate and free from entanglement; which will "protect the threads so as to keep them away from the rotary parts of the machineto prevent the winding up thereof; which is so located that it may be always under observation by the operator while the machine is in operation; and which can also be quickly threaded by the operator in a simple manner without disturbing any of the machine parts by reason of the free accessibility of the mechanism.

The invention is particularly useful in sewing machines for making the two-thread chain stitch. It has been difficult heretofore to control the looper threads in sewin machines used for making one or more rows of two-thread chain stitches at high speed and keep the threads separated. It is well understood by those skilled in the art that unless they are separated uniform stitching cannot be produced, while the breakage of thn thi'eads and the winding up thereofon Specification of Letters Patent.

' prisin recil'irocating,

are taken up to the fullest extent at Serial NO. 255,665.

the rotary parts of the machine is a great source of annoyance.

Various forms of thread take-ups comas well' as rotary devices iave been used for the purpose, but the reciprocating take-ups have the disadvantage of not handling the thread p ecisely because such parts are actuated by an eccentrio or crank. and there are two periods of rest during the movement while the eccentrics or cranks arepassing the center of rotation at each end of-the stroke, while the rotary takeup has the disadvantage of winding up caused by centrifugal force and the rotary action of the moving parts to chafe and break the threads and cause such winding up. Then again as such rotary devices are usually located on the main shaft of the machine this makes it difiicnlt for the operators to get at them for threading as well as adjusting. All these objections are Overcome by. the present improvement he cause the threads cannot wind up, all the parts to he threaded are located on the out side of the machine where they are readily accessible, simple to thread and adjust and while the action of the take-up member is rotary, the part thereof acting upon the threads is remote from its rotary driving means.

In the drawings accompanying and form ing a part of this specification, Figure 1 is macs Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

a front view of a lVIetropolitan long arm top and bottom rotary shaft machine with finger with respect to the other parts while the looper threads are being drawn from the supply by the feeding of the work; Fig. 3.,

is a view similar to 2, showing the takeup linger in contact With the looper threads to take 11 :the slack as the loopers begin to move bac (ward; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3 with, the take-up finger in the position it assumes when the looper threads [the time the needles are cooperating" with the loopers to enter the looper thread loops;

Fig; 5 is a View similar to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 showing the take-up finger as the looper threads are cast therefrom at the completion of the stitch formation; and Fig.

6 1s a per spective view of the take-up and hippestake-up and nipper mechanisms are at- 6 as at 7, and to a front bearing 8.

; tached.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different. figures of the drawings.

' The base of the machine carrying the vertical arm shown broken away just above the cloth plate line and the three connecting rods are likewise shown broken away it not being deemed necessary herein to show the upper portion of the machine carrying the usual rotary top shaft and crank shaftconnections for the said three rods for operating the usual needle bar, since a: sewing machine of this kind is described in certain patents heretofore issued to J. P. Weis. among; them Patents Nos.

.1,1'l8,'T09 and 1,118,710 dated November 24,

1914 so that reference may be made thereto for a detailed description of the three crank rod connections.

The machine is provided with a cloth plate 3, carrying a throat plate 4-. The cloth plate is secured to an extension of the arm '2 as at 5; and at the front end to a bracket bottom of the bracket 6 is secured to the machine base as at 9, the base carries a bottom rotary shaft 10 which operates in the forward bearing 11, intermediate bearing 12 and rear bearing 13. This shaft carries the usual belt wheel let. The looper mechanism of the machine is generally indicated by 15, the driving mechanism therefor being indicated by 16. The machine base is provided with a rectangular opening 17, torreceive an oil pan 18. This oilpan is in the form of a slide having an oil pocket 19 and a front wall 20 and is arranged to slide into the rectangular opening and be secured therein by a screw 21. The cranks of the crank disks 22 of the bottom shaft 10 operate directly over the oil pocket 19 so that the oil dripping from the connection 23 will fall into the pan. Adjacent to the rear bearing 13 is a triangular cam 24 carried by the shaft 10 and this cam operates in a fork 25 of the uipper actuating lever 26. This lever is secured to a rock shaft 27 as at 28 and this shaft 2? rocks in a suitable bearing carried at the upper part of the rectangular opening 17. A lever 30 is secured to the otherend of the shaft 27 and has secured to a part thereof thenipper springb3 which terminates in a forked end each member of this forked end having an iiidependentyielding action. Each of these forked ends eooperates with a thread, so that one thread passes over one yielding end and under the The 'rear of the machine so as to deliver the threads to the tension 40, which in this instance oarries tension disks for the respective threads. Also attached to the wall 20 of the oil pan is a bracket 41 provided with slots 42 to permit vertical adjustment. his bracket is provided with a thread guiding post i8, having an overhanging end 44 located adjacent the nipper plate 34-. so as to properly guidethe threads. The bracket 41 is also provided with two guide wires 45,

extending vertically from the bracket and bent outwardly to facilitate the threading.

The bracket 41 also carries cast-off wires 46 located just in the rear of the wires 45, which extend vertically and backwardly so as to co-act with the take-up finger 47. This take-up finger has athread engaging notch 48 forming a hooked end 4-9 so as to manipulate the threads 36 in the manner as shown and described. The bracket =11 also carries a post 50 provided with a right-angle portion 51 having thread eyes to guide the threads separately from the takcup finger 47 to thread tubes 53. These thread'tubes 53 are adjustably supported in brackets 54 and are secured in position by screws The delivery ends 56 and 57 of the tubes 53 are so located with respect to the loopers 58 and 59 that the staggered. portions thereof correspond approximately with the staggered relation of the loopers and the adjustment of the tubes in the direction of their length to and from the take-up.

effects the taking up of the threads in the following manner: If the tubes are adusted toward the loopers a greater thread take-up will result because the looper in its backward movement will tend to draw the threads over the ends of the tubes 56 and 57 at a greater angle whereas if the tubes are ad usted in the opposite direction the threads will not be drawn over the ends of the tubes at so great an angle. Each of the tubes 53 is slotted throughout its length as at 60 except for the portions at each end indicated by 61, and these slots terminate in eyes 62,

' which facilitates the threading. This same justable in a socket 64 being clamped therein by a screw The finger is bent at right angles as at 66 and is flattened slightly alongtion. As the shaft 10 rotates in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 6, the take-up finger 4:; moves forward and downward to the position shown in Fig. 2;, then upward to the position shown in Fig. .3 and backward to the position shown in Fig.4, the movement gthe stitch. Immediately as the needles have entered said loops the threads contact with the cast off wires 46 which disengage the threads from notch 48 and thus permit the slack of the'thread loops 68 to be taken up by the loopers, on their forward movement. It will be observed that one'of the threads 36 passes under and over the spring nipper fork while the other thread alternates crossing over and under so that each of said threads willhave oneof the members acting thereon to properly clamp the thread while the take-up linger is taking up the slack from the locpers. The disposition of the V214 rious guides and cast off wires carried by the bracket 1 is such as to form a path of travel for the threads and confine their lateral movements so that they will be positively under the control of the tak -up finger, and that the vertical adjustment of ithe'bracket 41 with respect to theverticaladjustment of the take-up linger in the socket 64 results in changing the time when the finger 47 will contact with the threads to commence the time or duration of its contact with the threads will be longer than if the reverse-adjustment made. This is due to the fact that the take-up finger 47 travels in a circle and the vertical adjustment of the bracket ll intersects the outer portion of the circle in which the take-up finger 47 operates. Therefore if the bracket is adjusted so that the finger 47 just enters below the threads instantly as itmoves upward it contacts with and carries the threads in its circular movement upward and over the cast-off wires 46. Now, since the n position of he threads is come; the overt-ran 1 hook 44. and the ,hook 51 provided with finger 4:7 and as the cast-off wires 46 are also carried by the bracket in fixed relation to the overhanging guidese and 51; they are lowered to a corresponding'degree withth'e bracket 4:1. Consequently the take-up fin-t ger travels higher in relation to the bracket and its members so that the threads are retained by the take-up linger during a greater portion of its movement than they would be if the reverse adjustment were m'ade,-viz: raising the bracket 41 so that the rice-up finger 47 would enter some distance below the threads. For instance, in Fig. 2- the take-up finger i7 is shown way below the threads and must travel quite a distance before it engages the threads whereas the bracket 41 were lowered to bring the threads carried by the hooks id and 51 down towhere the take-upfinger is shown in Fig. 2 obviou ly the duration of contact of'the finger witn the threads will be longer. The finger 47 coiiperating with the cast ofi' wires 46 insures an instant release of the threads as the threads contact with such castoii' wires see Fig. 5., and even though the machine be turned backward the finger 47 will.

merely operate in the reverse direction draw- 9 ing the threads downward slightly but in shaft and that in operation the thread is moved upward and backward only by the take-up finger and not back and forth as has been the case heretofore.

It will also be observed that as the crank or crank connnection isbetween the rotary driving shaft and the take-up finger, it follows that the said finger is movable in a circular path, and although operated by rotary means it is nevertheless free of movement around the axis .of said rotary driving means, so that there is no tendency whatsoever of the thread being wound around the rotary driving means or being sucked into engagement therewith.

I claim as myinvcnti'on 1. In a sewing machine the combination oi. thread controlling means comprising nipper mechanism, take-up mechanism and a plurality of independent tubes through which the thread passes, one threadto each,

.tube whereby the threads are maintained separated one from another.

2.1 .1 a sewing machine the combination of thread controlling means comprising nipper mechanism, take-up mechanism and one or more tubes having a slot extending lengthwise thereof and through which the thread passes.

3. In a sewing machine the combination of thread controlling means comprising nipper mechanism, take-up n'ieclianism and one or more tubes having a slot extending lengthwise thereof and tern'iinatingin an enlarged eye portion and through which the thread passes.

4C. In a sewing machine th combination of thread controlling means comprising nipper mechanism, take-up mechanism and one or more tubes through which the thread passes, said tubes being adjustable length- Wise thereof.

5. In a sewing machine, the combination of a thread take-up finger movable in a circular path, and rotary means connected with said finger for operating it without imparting thereto movement around the axis of said rotary means. i

6. In a sewing machine, the combination of a rotary driving shaft, a thread take-up finger, and a crank between said shaft and said finger for imparting movement to the finger in a circular path from said shaft.

7. In a sewing machine, the combination of a thread take-up finger movable in a circular path, rotary means connected with said finger for operating it without imparting thereto movement around the axis of said rotary means, and means comprising an upwardly extending bent-over member or members for releasing the threads from said take-up finger.

8. In a sewing machine, the combination of a rotary driving shaft, a thread take-up finger, a crank between said shaft and said finger for imparting movement to the finger in a circular path from said shaft, and means comprising an upwardly extending member or members for releasing the thread from said take up finger.

9. In a sewing machine, the combination of a thread take-up finger movable in a circular path, rotary means connected with said finger for operating itwithout imparting thereto movement around the axis of said rotary means, and means comprising an upwardly extending bent-over member or members for releasing the.threa d from said take-up finger, said finger and members being adjustable relatively to each other.

10. In a sewing machine. the combination of a rotary driving shaft, a thread take-up finger, a crank between said shaft/and said finger for imparting movement to the finger in a circular path from said shaft, and means comprising an upwardly extending member.

or members for releasing the thread from said take-up finger. said finger and 'members being adjustable relatively to each dthcr.

11. In a serving machine the combination ofa' rotary main shaft, crank mehlinism connected therewith, a take-up finger connected with said crank mechanism "for rotary movement, a plurality of upwardly extending bent over members efiective'to release the thread from said take-up finger and between which said finger rotates, and

a thread guide carried by said member, and

thread detaching means also carried by said member for detaching the thread from said take-up finger.

13. In a sewing machine the combination of a rotary shaft, crank mechanism connected therewith, atake-up finger connected with said crank mechanism for rotary move ment,-an adjustable member, a thread guide carried by said member. and thread detaching means also carried by said member for detaching the thread from said take up finger, said detaching means comprising a plurality of upwardly'extending bent members located on opposite sides of the finger.

14. In a sewing machine the combination of a rotary shaft; crank mechanism connected therewith, a take-up finger connected with said crank IDBCllHHlSIfl, thread detaching means cooperating with said take-up finger and con'lprising a plurality of up wardly extending bent over members located at opposite sides of said take-up finger.

15. In a sewing machine the combination of a rotary shaft, crank mechanism con nected therewith, a take-up finger connected with said crank mecl'ianism, thread detaching means cotiperating with said take-up finger and comprising a plurality of upwardly extending bent over mcn'ibers located at opposite'sides of said take-up finger, and means for adjustin said members relative to said finger.

16. In a sewing machine the combination of a rotary shaft, crank mechanism connected therewith, a take-up finger connected with said crank mechanism, thread detaching means coiiperating With said take-upfinger and comprising a plurality of upwardly extending bent over members located at opposite'sides of said take-up finger,

means for adjusting said members relative to said finger, and means for adjustingsaid finger relative to said members.

17. In a sewing machine the combination of thread take-up means and thread nipper means, the latter comprising a pair of split --resilient members, one coiiperating with each of a pair of threads, whereby one thread passes under one member and over the other while other thread passes over said first member and under the other, and means for actuating said members.

18. In a sewing machine the combination of thread controlling means comprising nipper means consisting of a pair of split resilient members, means cooperating there with, a rotary take-up finger, means for rotating it, and thread detaching means cooperating with said finger and comprising a plurality of upright bent members.

19. In a sewing machine the combination. of thread controlling means comprising nipper means consisting of a pair of split resilient members, means cooperating therewith, a rotary take-up finger, means for rotating it, thread. detaching means cooperating with said linger and comprising a plurality of upright bent members, and thread guiding means comprisin one or more tubular guides through W ich the threads pass' 20. In a sewing machine the combination of thread controlling means comprising nipper means consisting of a pair of split resilient members, means cooperating there with, a rotary take-up finger, means for rot'ating it, thread detaching means coiiperating with said fin er and comprising a plurality of upright bent members, and tl'lread guiding means comprising one or more tubular guides having a lengthwise extending slot and through which the threads pass.

21. In a sewing machine the combination of thread controlling means comprising nipper means consisting of a pair of split resilient members, means cooperating therewith, a rotary take-up finger, means for rotating it, thread detaching means cooperating with said finger and comprising a plurality of upright bent members, thread guiding means comprising one or more tubular lengthwise adjustable guides having a lengthwise extending slot and through which the threads pass.

22. In a sewing machine the combination of thread nipper means, thread take-up means and thread guiding means, the latter comprising a plurality of tubes through which the threads separately pass.

23. In a sewing machine the combination of thread nipper means, thread take-up means and thread guiding means, the latter comprising one or more lengthwise adjustable tubes through which the thread passes.

24. In a-sewing machine the combination of loopcr mechanism, nipper means, thread take-up means and thread guiding means comprising a plurality of lengthwise extending tubes for guiding the threads to the looper mechanism, said tubes having staggored ends located adjacent to the looper mechanism.

In a sewing machine the combination of looper mechanism, nipper means, thread take-up means and thread guiding means looper mechanism,

comprising a plurality of lengthwise ex-" tending tubes for guiding the threads to the said tubes having staggered ends located. adjacent to the looper mechanism, and said tubes, being adjustable lengthwise thereof;

Thread controlling means for a sew ing machine comprising a thread take-up finger operative to carry the threads only {upward and backward to a point of castoff and then casting off or dropping the threads, and means connected adjacent to the rear end of the finger for operating it, said finger being free of movement around the axis of said operating means.

27. Thread controlling means for a sewing machine comprising a rotary thread take-up finger operative to carry the thread only upward and backward, and means connected adj acent to the rear end of said finger for actuating it, said finger being free of movement around the axis of said actuating means.

28. Thread controlling means for a sewin machine comprising a rotary thread ta e-up finger operative to carry the thread only upward andbackward, means connected adjacent to the rear end of said finger for actuating it, said finger being free of movement around theaxis of said actuat- 95 ing means, and a plurality of members between which said finger operates for detachingthe thread from said finger.

29. In a sewing machine, the combination of a rotary shaft, crank mechanism con- 0o nected therewith, a rock shaft operated from said rotary shaft,, nippen mechanism connected with said rock shaft, a rotary takeup finger connected with said crank mechanism, means for guldmg the thread to and tion of a rotary shaft, crank mechanism connected therewith, a rock shaft operated from said rotary shaft, nipper mechanism connected with said rock shaft, a rotary takeup finger connectedflv ith said crank mechanism, means for guidmg the thread to and from the nipper mechanism and take-up mechanism and comprising tubes through which the thread passes, certain of said tubes having an adjustment lengthwise thereof.

31. In a sewing machine, the combination of a rotary. shaft, crank mechanism connoctcd therewith, a rock shaft operated from said rotary shaft, nipper mechanism connected with said rock shaft, a rotary take- 125 u p finger connected with said crank mechanism, means for guiding the thread to and 4 from the nipper mechanism and take-up mechanism and comprising tubes through which the thread passes, certain of said tubes -130 hected therewith, a, take-up finger connected with said crank mechanismand projecting forwardly therefrom and having a thread engaging end located relatively remote to said crank mechanism, said finger having a rotary movement in a circular path imparted to its thread engaging end from the rear end. thereof ,and means for releasing of Rockiand,

and State of New York t is-QOiDh day of September, 1918.

JOHN n wnisw 

